London’s transport commissioner has said he’s embarrassed that money allocated for cycling improvements hasn’t been spent.
Mayor Boris Johnson has promised to lead a cycling revolution in the capital, publishing a wide-ranging vision of new ‘quietways’ to guide new and less experience cyclists, segregated routes and improved junctions.
However Transport for London has repeatedly underspent the money allocated to deliver the improvements.
Over the past six financial years more than £150m has been carried over to the following year.
According to the London Assembly Green group, £38m of the £111m earmarked for cycling improvements in 2013/14 had yet to be allocated as of January.
Appearing before Assembly Members on Wednesday, TfL boss Sir Peter Hendy said the underspends were a “major embarrassment” and promised that the money wouldn’t be diverted to other budgets.
Sir Peter told AMs that the Mayor was pressing “none too politely” for progress to be made and said he and Cycling Commissioner Andrew Gilligan were working to ensure schemes moved forward.
Earlier this week the Mayor announced funding for schemes in Enfield, Kingston and Waltham Forest to improve cycling facilities and safety.
